literature

noun

lit·​er·​a·​ture ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce literature (audio)
ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r,
ˈli-tər-ˌchu̇r,
ˈli-tə-,
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r How to pronounce literature (audio)
-ˌtu̇r
1
a(1)
: writings in prose or verse
especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest
literature stands related to man as science stands to nature J. H. Newman
(2)
: an example of such writings
what came out, though rarely literature, was always a roaring good storyPeople
b
: the body of writings on a particular subject
scientific literature
c
: the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age
French literature
Renaissance literature
d
: printed matter (such as leaflets or circulars)
campaign literature
2
: the production of literary work especially as an occupation
Literature is his profession.
3
: the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions
the Brahms piano literature
4
archaic : literary culture

Examples of literature in a Sentence

She took courses in history and literature. Her education gave her an appreciation for great literature. He's an expert in American literature. the literature of the Renaissance studies in different Asian literatures Can you send me some literature about your product?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But how did novels like Liu’s overcome the disreputable status of pulp fiction and gain an international reputation as serious literature? H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 Nov. 2024 Around the same time, writers like Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper were similarly inspired by the Catskills and romanticized it in the form of literature. Anna Haines, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 His protagonist was a professor of French literature, not exactly a traditionally Japanese pursuit. Mark Schilling, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024 Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Everett Collection (20th Century Fox, Kino Lorber, Hoyte Van Hoytema/Magnolia Pictures) Vampires were there at the very beginning of Gothic literature. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for literature 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of literature was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near literature

Cite this Entry

“Literature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literature. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

literature

noun
lit·​er·​a·​ture ˈlit-ə-rə-ˌchu̇(ə)r How to pronounce literature (audio) ˈli-trə- How to pronounce literature (audio)
-chər
1
: written works having excellence of form or expression and ideas of lasting and widespread interest
2
: written material (as of a period or on a subject)

More from Merriam-Webster on literature

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